[A microcost analysis of radiation therapy of localized prostate cancer]. / A prosztatadaganatos betegek sugárterápiájának mikroköltség-számítása.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Development of radiation technology provides new opportunities for the treatment of prostate cancer, but little is known about the costs of novel technologies. AIM: The aim of this analysis was to compare the costs of conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy to normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. METHOD: The cost-analysis was performed based on the data of a Hungarian oncology center from health care provider's perspective. Irradiation time was assessed from the data of 100 fractions delivered in 20 patients. Unit costs for each component were calculated based on actual costs retrieved from the accounting system of the oncology center. RESULTS: Average treatment delivery times were 14.5 minutes for three-dimensional radiation therapy, 16.2 minutes for intensity-modulated radiation therapy with image-guided and 14 minutes without image-guided method. Expected mean cost of patients undergoing conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy, normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy were 619 000 HUF, 933 000 HUF and 692 000 HUF, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapies have already been proven to be cost-effective, current reimbursement rates do not encourage healthcare providers to use the more effective therapy techniques.